1. Describe the stasis in the play: where, when, who, what, etc. in a paragraph.
The play takes place in New York during the 1980s. The play takes place over a course of months surround the spread of a new disease. The main character is Ned Weeks, a gay man who is a writer and who is also apart of an organization that includes other gay men Bruce, Mickey, and Tommy. Ben is Ned's brother and the two have a strained relationship throughout the play. There is also Emma, the doctor where Ned gets all his information about the disease from and Felix, Ned's lover. 2. What is the intrusion?
I think the intrusion is when Ned first talks to Emma. From there, Ned learns about the new disease and the race to bring awareness to it begins. 3. What is the unique factor?
This is the day Ned learns about HIV and the day he starts his campaign to protect other people from it. 4. What is the dramatic question that should be answered by the end of the play?
The dramatic question is will Ned be able to successfully bring awareness of HIV to at least the country. Another question is whether Felix will live or die. 5. Provide an illustration of the two kinds of exposition that the play has in it.
One illustration of exposition in the play are the purple lesions that the victims of HIV have, signifying that someone had aids.Another illustration of exposition in the play that is known to few is that HIV is transmitted sexually. 6. Identify the most theatrical moment in the play and of what importance it seems to be.
I think the most theatrical moment is when Ben and Ned get into an argument where Ned wants Ben to admit they are the same. It is there where we learn how much Ben's acceptance means to Ned and how much he wants Ben to believe he is the same as everyone else. 7. List some of the themes of the play.
Ignorance to awareness is definitely a theme in the play. The entire struggle of the play is to make people aware of the new epidemic and many people do not want to listen are simple do not care. 8. What does Ned want and what are some obstacles that stand in the way of his getting what he wants?
Ned wants a few things in the play. The main want he has is letting people know it is not safe to have sex with the disease going around. The other members of his organization are his main obstacle, believing Ned shouldn't tell them how to live their lives. The mayor and his assistant are another obstacle because they don't want to draw to much attention to themselves. Ned also wants Ben to accept him for who he is. Ben himself is the obstacle because he can't bring himself to understand who Ned is. Another want Ned has is to fall in love, the obstacle being himself. He eventually overcomes that and finds love in Felix. 9. Describe some possible images in the play and how does the title help us understand the play.
I think one image of the play could be Emma's wheelchair, representing the price of a problem that was fixed too late. That is pretty much what is happening with the outbreak of AIDs.Another image is the purple lesions on the skin. The basically symbolize the beginning of the end. 10. Briefly define the family relationships that are examined in the play. Ben and Ned's relationship are examined in depth. It is noticeable how much the two love each other. However, Ben is clearly uncomfortable with who Ned is. Ned pushes and pushes for Ben to understand and I believe in the end, Ben finally does.The play mentions the relationships with one's mother quite a few times. The playwright put a certain importance on a mother's acceptance of their son's sexuality throughout the play, especially when it came to the death of a character.
1. Describe the stasis in the play: where, when, who, what, etc. in a paragraph.
The play takes place in New York during the 1980s. The play takes place over a course of months surround the spread of a new disease. The main character is Ned Weeks, a gay man who is a writer and who is also apart of an organization that includes other gay men Bruce, Mickey, and Tommy. Ben is Ned's brother and the two have a strained relationship throughout the play. There is also Emma, the doctor where Ned gets all his information about the disease from and Felix, Ned's lover.
2. What is the intrusion?
I think the intrusion is when Ned first talks to Emma. From there, Ned learns about the new disease and the race to bring awareness to it begins.
3. What is the unique factor?
This is the day Ned learns about HIV and the day he starts his campaign to protect other people from it.
4. What is the dramatic question that should be answered by the end of the play?
The dramatic question is will Ned be able to successfully bring awareness of HIV to at least the country. Another question is whether Felix will live or die.
5. Provide an illustration of the two kinds of exposition that the play has in it.
One illustration of exposition in the play are the purple lesions that the victims of HIV have, signifying that someone had aids.Another illustration of exposition in the play that is known to few is that HIV is transmitted sexually.
6. Identify the most theatrical moment in the play and of what importance it seems to be.
I think the most theatrical moment is when Ben and Ned get into an argument where Ned wants Ben to admit they are the same. It is there where we learn how much Ben's acceptance means to Ned and how much he wants Ben to believe he is the same as everyone else.
7. List some of the themes of the play.
Ignorance to awareness is definitely a theme in the play. The entire struggle of the play is to make people aware of the new epidemic and many people do not want to listen are simple do not care.
8. What does Ned want and what are some obstacles that stand in the way of his getting what he wants?
Ned wants a few things in the play. The main want he has is letting people know it is not safe to have sex with the disease going around. The other members of his organization are his main obstacle, believing Ned shouldn't tell them how to live their lives. The mayor and his assistant are another obstacle because they don't want to draw to much attention to themselves. Ned also wants Ben to accept him for who he is. Ben himself is the obstacle because he can't bring himself to understand who Ned is. Another want Ned has is to fall in love, the obstacle being himself. He eventually overcomes that and finds love in Felix.
9. Describe some possible images in the play and how does the title help us understand the play.
I think one image of the play could be Emma's wheelchair, representing the price of a problem that was fixed too late. That is pretty much what is happening with the outbreak of AIDs.Another image is the purple lesions on the skin. The basically symbolize the beginning of the end.
10. Briefly define the family relationships that are examined in the play.
Ben and Ned's relationship are examined in depth. It is noticeable how much the two love each other. However, Ben is clearly uncomfortable with who Ned is. Ned pushes and pushes for Ben to understand and I believe in the end, Ben finally does.The play mentions the relationships with one's mother quite a few times. The playwright put a certain importance on a mother's acceptance of their son's sexuality throughout the play, especially when it came to the death of a character.